Love At First Listen: I Nine - "Don't Wanna"

I Nine - Don't Wanna
Mmm...Starbucks

The native South Carolinian band I Nine released the infectious pop rock song "Seven Days of Lonely" last year and its current single is "If This Room Could Move". However, the one song off their debut album Heavy Weighs The King that instantly hooked me in is the track "Don't Wanna", a potential next hit. It has already received some airplay on ABC's fall show promos. The band, led by female vocalist Carmen Keigans, delivers another anthemic plea about self-respect and unwillingness to compromise or change.

And support I Nine. Their album is available for digital download on iTunes

Love At First Listen: Nada Surf - "Beautiful Beat"

Nada Surf - Beautiful Beat

I. LOVE. THIS. SONG.

So I was in Starbucks a couple of weeks ago when this song first played on the store's satellite radio player and it sounded like Nada Surf. The music caught my attention immediately and lo and behold, it was Nada Surf's "Beautiful Beat" off their latest album Lucky. I have been quite a fan of the band since seeing them headline a concert at the Fillmore back in 2006. "Beautiful Beat" follows in the great tradition of catchy epic Nada Surf songs such as "Always Love" and "Concrete Bed".

On top of a hypnotic beat that trudges along in the song's entirety, the chorus is rich with strings and an instantly memorable melody of: "Beautiful beat, get my out of this mess // Beautiful beat, lift me up from distress..." The song's message is both heartbreaking, inspiring, and instantly relatable. Who hasn't had a bad day and the only thing that can console and comfort you is music? I know I've certainly had a few of those recently.

Save yourself a trip to the therapist and listen to their truly beautiful beat.

Live Rewind: Augustana at the Lahaina Civic Center - 08.15.08

I was extremely excited to hear about a concert being held in my neck of the woods. It is a rarity that such a show would come along that featured one of my favorite rock bands so I jumped at the opportunity and joined my friend and fellow concert/music lover Maricel for the 311 and Augustana show at the Lahaina Civic Center on Friday, August 15.

Maricel was already at the venue when I joined her at a little after 4 p.m. The show was an open aired venue located just at the back of the Civic Center grounds. Maricel and I were really there to see Augustana as we weren't fans of 311. We were among the first six people -- Augustana fans, for the most part -- in line and it was ridiculously hot. The humidity was unbearable as we continued to wait sweat in line for another hour. The doors were supposed to open at 5 p.m. but because the sound checks weren't complete (Augustana rehearsed "Rain" btw), we were hit with delay after delay until nearly a quarter till. Mari and I were extremely thirsty so when we finally got in, I went bought ridiculously overpriced beverages while she secured a spot that was literally in front-and-center of the stage.

We saw guitarist Chris Sachtleben, lead vocalist Dan Layus and the rest of the band being videotaped and interviewed on the grass just after their sound check. The show started at 6:30 p.m. with folk/ska opener Erin Smith and her band. Next up was the band of the night (to us): Augustana. Some dude from a local rock radio station introduced them and incorrectly told the audience that the band's latest album was titled "Don't Love, Don't Hurt" which prompted me to correct him by yelling "It's Can't Love, Can't Hurt!" He responded by saying that he may get punched for getting it wrong. Hey, I wouldn't go that far as to inflict physical abuse for a simple error but next time, do your research!

Dan and Co. began their 12+ song set with "Hey Now" and "I Still Ain't Over You". Then they broke out in two classics from All The Stars And Boulevards: "Wasteland" and "Stars and Boulevards". I was extremely satisfied at Dan's vox performance because he sounded just as great live as he is in a recording. He tended to shut his eyes when he sings and at times looked deep into a trance, as if he was experiencing nirvana. As for my visual experience, the lights were especially distracting from our POV and the shadows they created detracted from seeing his face clearly.

But the music was fantastic. They delivered beautiful, heartfelt tunes largely from their latest album (eight if I remember correctly) including their somber piano ballad "Twenty Years". And of course, they also played first single and latest hit "Sweet and Low". Dan returned to the keyboard to perform the song that gave the Southern California based band prime exposure, "Boston". He immediately followed with "Rain" in which he altered a lyric to include Maui. Chris intermittently sipping on Stella Artois (read: disgusting). Dan cracks a smile and a laugh mid-song. They performed "Rest, Shame, Love" and finally a Bob Dylan cover, "Baby Please Don't Go" to end their set. We tried to get the attention of two of the roadies to give us a set list that was taped to the floor, but it was futile. After seeing the set change in prep for 311, we found ourselves getting slightly closed in the by the expanding crowd and decided to leave our spots to possibly give meeting Augustana a try.

As far as we were concerned, the show was already over so it was a no-brainer for us to leave for a shot to meet the band of the night. We saw the band exit through the stage right fence gate and saw a security dude guarding it, so we went through the main entrance, ran (with my non-running Vans shoes) through a Civic Center party just to hesitate for a few moments to contemplate/strategize/not appear like we were stalkers/fan freaks.

We awkwardly walked towards them (they were chilling and drinking on those god-awful Stella Artois) and nervously approached bassist Jared Palomar. "Hi, I'm Ray." "Hi I'm Maricel". "I'm Jared. Nice to meet you. Did you guys see the show?" Of course we did! Jared was extremely friendly and introduced us to the rest of the band. (Note: He looked Asian, but we weren't sure if he was. We later found out he is half-Filipino!). Mari and I also took a photo with 4/5 of the band because Chris was M.I.A. at that very moment.

I told Dan, keyboardist and resident caveman John Vincent, and newly shorn, "naked" drummer Justin South that I saw them open for Snow Patrol at the Warfield way back in 2006 and that "California's Burning" is one of my favorite songs. After being asked where I went to school, South said he has friends who went to my college. Just as the band were heading into their van, Chris appears and we got to meet him.

The Augustana guys were cool and I had no regrets about ditching 311 in order to meet them. We did, however, get to hear Nick Hexum sing "Amber" from the parking lot, if that was any consolation. But what a neat feat Mari and I accomplished. I mean, who can say they got to meet and see one of their fave bands in their hometown? And to think I was done with shows after coming home. I was one happy kid.

311 and Augustana on Maui tomorrow!

Okay, so I am giving away my location in the middle of the ocean by blogging about this, but I am extremely psyched into attending a live show tomorrow. This will be my first show since A Cursive Memory in mid April and first one back at home. This time, alternative ska/jam band 311 will be headlining at the Lahaina Civic Center this Friday. I remember loving a few of their songs from their album From Chaos in high school. However, it is the special opening guest Augustana that I am actually looking forward to the most.

I loved their debut album All The Stars And Boulevards and am really getting into their more introspective sophomore disc Can't Love, Can't Hurt. I saw the band perform live in 06 for Snow Patrol and remember them sounding absolutely phenomenal, especially on their hit "Boston". Now I can't wait to see them perform "Sweet And Low" and lead singer Dan Layus, now that he got all that hair out of his face. ;)

Check back later for my live rewind.

Top 20 Playlist for August 10, 2008

Friss Zene Top 20 for the week ending on Sunday, 08.10.08

Quietdrive makes it two weeks in a row at #1

01. Quietdrive - Deliverance (#1 for 2 weeks)
02. Lesley Roy - I'm Gone, I'm Going
03. Rihanna - Take A Bow
04. Switchfoot - This Is Home
05. O.A.R. - Shattered (Turn The Car Around)
06. Carolina Liar - Beautiful World
07. The Veronicas - Untouched
08. The Midway State - Can't Stop Waking Up To You
09. The Maine - Into Your Arms
10. Carolina Liar - I'm Not Over
11. Robin Thicke - Magic
12. National Product - Love Me (#1 for 1 week)
13. If This Wall Could Move - I Nine
14. Shwayze - Corona and Lime
15. Shontelle - T-Shirt
16. Lady GaGa - Just Dance
17. Jack's Mannequin - The Resolution
18. David Archuleta - Crush
19. Cute Is What We Aim For - Practice Makes Perfect
20. Every Avenue - Where Were You

Falling Off:
Hit The Lights - Stay Out
Michelle Williams - We Break The Dawn
Ne-Yo - Closer
The Maine - Everything I Ask For
Ryan Cabrera - Enemies
Hawthorne Heights - Rescue Me
The Morning Light - Honest
Chris Brown - Forever

Watch the band perform it live (even better in high quality)...

Top 20 Playlist for July 27, 2008

Friss Zene Top 20 for the week ending on Sunday, 07.27.08

The Minnesota-originated power pop band Quietdrive recently leaked their newest single and title track of their album "Deliverance" on their official website. A bit of a departure from When All That's Left Is You from 2006, the song starts out with a mesmerizing synth and takes it up several notches when it explodes in an epic chorus sung by bleach-blond lead singer Kevin Truckenmiller.

01. Quietdrive - Deliverance (#1 for 1 week)
02. Rihanna - Take A Bow
03. Carolina Liar - I'm Not Over
04. Lady GaGa feat. Colby O'Donis & Akon - Just Dance
05. National Product - Love Me (#1 for 1 week)
06. Shontelle - T-Shirt
07. Robin Thicke - Magic
08. Every Avenue - Where Were You
09. Cute Is What We Aim For - Practice Makes Perfect
10. Carolina Liar - Beautiful World
11. Hit The Lights - Stay Out
12. Michelle Williams - We Break The Dawn
13. Ne-Yo - Closer
14. The Maine - Everything I Ask For
15. Ryan Cabrera - Enemies
16. Hawthorne Heights - Rescue Me
17. The Maine - Into Your Arms
18. The Morning Light - Honest
19. Chris Brown - Forever
20. Switchfoot - This Is Home

Falling Off:
O.A.R. - Shattered (Turn The Car Around)
Duffy - Mercy
Jon McLaughlin - Beating My Heart
Colby O'Donis - What You Got
The Spill Canvas - All Over You

Take a listen to this week's #1 song....

Fresh Song: Plain White T's - Natural Disaster

Releasing their hit "Hey There Delilah" last summer, The Plain White T's are currently finishing up their upcoming album currently titled Big Bad World, the anxiously awaited follow-up to 2006's Every Second Counts. The first single is a song titled "Natural Disaster". The first few seconds remind me of old-school TSL (The Starting Line) and didn't know what to make of the rest of it after my first listen. I had to play the song three more times to get the chorus into my head. Bottom line is that unlike their past singles ("Our Time Now" and "Hate...") this song lacks a really strong catchy hook. Perhaps it'll take me another ten listens to finally get it. Listen here. What do you think of the song? Comments are appreciated!

Hit The Lights go G-A-Y on a Whitney classic!

Formed in 2003, Ohio pop punk rock band Hit The Lights returned to the studio last year after their previous front-man quit the band which, in a role reversal, found bassist Nick Thompson taking lead vox. With Nick on the helm, they're sound is stronger and full of youthful energy. The band released their latest CD Skip School, Start Fights on July 7 and their current single is "Won't Stop", however if you order their CD from iTunes, you are able to get a couple of bonus tracks, including a cover of Whitney Houston's 80s hit "How Will I Know"!

So how is does the band kick up the queer factor on this song? By not changing the original song's lyrics whatsoever -- and by keeping the masculine pronouns intact, Nick sounds very gay when he croons, "There's a boy I know, he's the one I'm dreaming of". LMAO!

If you want to get a taste at how amazingly funny this cover is and how great this band is, listen for yourself, and then go buy the album on iTunes!

What do you think of the song? Comment away.

Top 20 Playlist for July 19, 2008

Friss Zene Top 20 for the week ending on Saturday, 07.19.08

Yep, the band formed in Hawaii and now based in SoCal takes the number one spot in the newly formatted chart with this power ballad.

01. National Product - Love Me (#1 for 1 week)
02. Carolina Liar - I'm Not Over
03. The Maine - Everything I Ask For
04. Cute Is What We Aim For - Practice Makes Perfect
05. Lady GaGa feat. Akon & Colby O'Donis - Just Dance
06. Robin Thicke - Magic
07. Shontelle - T-Shirt
08. Every Avenue - Where Were You
09. Ryan Cabrera - Enemies
10. O.A.R. - Shattered (Turn The Car Around)
11. Hawthorne Heights - Rescue Me
12. Duffy - Mercy
13. The Maine - Into Your Arms
14. Carolina Liar - Beautiful World
15. Ne-Yo - Closer
16. Michelle Williams - We Break The Dawn
17. Jon McLaughlin - Beating My Heart
18. Chris Brown - Forever
19. Colby O'Donis - What You Got
20. The Spill Canvas - All Over You

Take a listen to this week's #1 song....

Mahalo, Salamat, Köszönöm, Gracias

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISIT!



Yes, thanks to you, my little blog has reached over 11,000 hits since it made its official debut in January. Although things have slowed down a bit, and I do have to apologize for the lack of updates, new content is in store for you. I realized that I need to shorten my weekly song countdowns because, frankly, it takes a large amount of time and is very tedious, so sorry for the lack of continuity, but I will resume a Top 15 (maybe Top 20, but no more!) weekly chart. As always, I'll be sharing new musical discoveries with you.

As for my personal life, I have recently graduated from school (sigh of relief, thank god!) and no longer in the city, so I am incredibly bummed to no longer have access to amazing artists and attend intimate shows (at least for the time being), but hopefully I can bring you some scoops from my little rock in the middle of the ocean, if and when a show of interest comes along. ;)

Currently listening to: "Shattered (Turn The Car Around)" - O.A.R.*

* The current first single from O.A.R.'s newest album All Sides which just hit stores on July 15. If the first single is any indication of how the album will sound, it is going to be a summer hit.

Go buy it @ Amazon.com now!

Fresh Video Premiere: Cute Is What We Aim For - Practice Makes Perfect

Power pop/ pop punk band Cute Is What We Aim For, led by lead singer Shaant Hacikyan and includes new bass player Dave Melillo, is releasing their sophomore album Rotation on June 24th from Fueled By Ramen Records. Here's the video for the first single "Practice Makes Perfect". Oh and check out Shaant's new hair!

Our new Idol Rocks!

And so the right David won the seventh season of the reality t.v./karaoke/singing competition American Idol. My favorite contestant David Cook beat the odds and contributed to a picture-perfect finish at the finale earlier this Wednesday night. Despite failing to win over judge Simon with his final three performances to the songs "I Still Haven't Found What I've Been Looking For" (BMG big-wig Clive Davis' choice), "Dream Big" (one of the reject non-winning original songs from this year's songwriting competition...which screamed arena rock), and finally "The World I Know" (David's choice), the audience saw things differently. Indeed, Simon was wrong to say it was a mistake to close with that Counting Crows song, which I thought was a brilliant choice -- very touching and with just enough of an emotional pull to tug at the heartstrings. This guy had to win over the equally credible threat of David Archuleta, the credibly underaged wunderkind who just kinda bored me with every textbook performance.

When announced, Cook was overwhelmed with emotions and the grown man broke down in tears. It was quite a sight to see our rock representative show some emo. He ended the night singing his coronation song "The Time Of My Life", which has already soared to #1 on iTunes.

Although we've had a few close ones (Southern rocker Bo Bice as runner up to Carrie Underwood in 2004, Chris Daughtry placed 4th in 2006), Cook marks the first rocker to win in the show's history. And to boot, he actually is talented. We will surely see big things with David Cook!!

The Cab's Whisper War in stores!

Hey everyone! Blogging to let you know that I received my pre-order of The Cab's Whisper War (debut album on Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen) and it is awesome. This was one of the albums I was highly anticipating and am not disappointed. I previously saw them open for Cobra Starship earlier in the spring and was surprised to find the lead singer Alex DeLeon had really soulful vocals that go well with their rock sound. The Las Vegas-based band has been working on the CD for the past year and now it is finally out for fan consumption. I pre-ordered mine and got this autographed poster by the members of the band with it.

I must say, all the twelve songs are catchy, radio worthy, and ready for repeat plays on iTunes. "Take My Hand" and "I'll Run" sound more enhanced than their more stripped-down demo versions. Other standout tracks include: "Zzzzz" (formerly known as "Singing Myself To Sleep), "High Hopes In Velvet Ropes", "That 70s Song", "Vegas Skies" and "Risky Business".

You guys should get your copy when it hits stores tomorrow/Tuesday, April 29!

As a treat, listen to "Zzzzz" HERE. After listening to this song, you know you want to go BUY THE ALBUM!

Phantom Planet's 'Raise The Dead' in stores today

Phantom Planet will be releasing their latest studio album, their first on Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance after many years at Epic and Geffen, titled Raise The Dead today.

PURCHASE THE ALBUM HERE

After about four years, the band experimented with their new distinct sound, and deviated from past works such as The Guest which featured their hugely popular hit, "California".

The Southern Caliornia based band is currently out on the Honda Civic Tour and will be releasing their first single, "Do The Panic" soon.

Fresh Music - Top 40 for Saturday, April 12, 2008

Friss Zene Top 40 for the week ending on Saturday, 04.12.08
Island still making waves!

TW= this week's position
LW= last week
Δ= change
PP= peak position
WC= weeks on the chart

TW LW Δ PP WC Artist - Title (weeks at top spot)
01 01 N C 01 11 The Starting Line - Island (2 weeks at #1)
02 04 +02 01 10 Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You (2 weeks at #1)
03 07 +04 03 06 All Time Low - Dear Maria, Count Me In
04 02 -02 01 08 Lights - February Air (1 week at #1)
05 18 +13 05 10 Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
06 11 +05 06 13 We The Kings - Check Yes Juliet
07 03 -04 03 05 Paramore - That's What You Get
08 05 -03 03 06 Gavin DeGraw - In Love With A Girl
09 31 +22 09 02 Forever The Sickest Kids - Whoa Oh!
10 06 -04 04 07 Ashlee Simpson feat. Tom Higgenson - Little Miss Obsessive
11 13 +02 11 08 Phantom Planet - Leader
12 12 N C 12 02 Treaty of Paris - Hello Nurse
13 09 -04 09 04 Jimmy Eat World - Always Be
14 08 -06 08 04 Boys Like Girls - Thunder
15 15 N C 01 11 Sum 41 - With Me (1 week at #1)
16 17 +01 01 13 The Cab - I'll Run (1 week at #1)
17 10 -07 01 10 The Midway State - Change For You (3 weeks at #1)
18 16 -02 15 04 Tegan and Sara - The Con
19 14 -05 03 12 Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - No Air
20 DEBUT 20 01 Every Avenue - Think Of You Later (Empty Room)
21 21 N C 21 02 The Spill Canvas - All Over You
22 25 +03 22 03 Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
23 19 -04 19 05 Rihanna - Take A Bow
24 20 -04 20 02 Yellowcard - Fighting
25 22 -03 04 09 Mika - Relax, Take It Easy
26 26 N C 03 20 OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
27 24 -03 23 06 Simple Plan - Your Love Is A Lie
28 23 -05 12 27 Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
29 27 -02 19 06 The Feeling - Without You
30 28 -02 07 09 Colbie Caillat - The Little Things
31 29 -02 21 05 SafetySuit - Someone Like You
32 - - R E 11 06 Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful of Sunshine
33 32 -01 10 10 Augustana - Sweet And Low
34 30 -04 01 20 Chris Brown - With You (2 weeks at #1)
35 DEBUT 35 01 PlayRadioPlay! - Madi Don't Leave
36 33 -03 11 09 Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
37 36 -01 33 04 Sara Bareilles - Bottle It Up
38 35 -03 01 19 Lifehouse - Whatever It Takes (3 weeks at #1)
39 37 -02 32 05 Jesse McCartney - Leavin'
40 41 +01 40 04 Matt Nathanson - Come On Get Higher

Bubbling Under: 41 to 45
41 40 -01 01 36 Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You
42 39 -03 01 13 Cobra Starship - The City Is At War (1 week at #1)
43 42 -01 01 19 Boys Like Girls - Hero/Heroine (2 weeks at #1)
44 43 -01 01 43 Jon McLaughlin - Beautiful Disaster (3 weeks at #1)
45 DEBUT 45 01 The Hush Sound - Honey

Falling Off
Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music: 37 weeks, peak at #4
Janet Jackson - Feedback: 14 weeks, peak at #4
The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead: 11 weeks, peak at #6
Linkin Park - Leave Out All The Rest: 4 weeks, peak at #27

Re-Entry
Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful of Sunshine (at #32, last placed at #35)

Biggest Debut
Every Avenue - Think Of You Later (Empty Room) (debut at #20)

Biggest Jump
Forever The Sickest Kids - Whoa Oh! (#9, up 22 spots from #31 last week)

Biggest Decline
The Midway State - Change For You (#17, down 7 spots from #10 last week)

Friss Zene
Phantom Planet - Do The Panic
The Cab - One of THOSE Nights (feat. Patrick Stump & Brendan Urie)

Honda Civic Tour featuring Panic At The Disco in San Francisco Tonight!

My third and last concert in eight days will be at The Warfield when I attend the second night of the Honda Civic Tour featuring Panic at The Disco, Motion City Soundtrack, Phantom Planet, and The Hush Sound. Three out of the four bands, including the latest signed Phantom Planet, are currently in the Fueled By Ramen family. Originally planned to have one show in San Francisco, but the first show on Thursday was quickly sold out and a new show was created to meet the demand, and this show also sold out!

I'm super excited to finally see one MCS in concert after missing them in the fall. I am also psyched about seeing Phantom Planet live. I really got into them my sophomore year of college (a couple years ago) when I found The Guest and learned they have even better songs than "California"! Keep tabs on this and I'll let you know how it went.

Yellowcard Acoustic tour in San Francisco on 04.06.08

My second show in three days was the Yellowcard acoustic show on Sunday night at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. The headliners sang to a sold-out crowd with bands Treaty of Paris, PlayRadioPlay!, and The Spill Canvas supporting.

After Thursday's The Starting Line show, I hung out with the roommates and went to South Bay for the weekend. Immediately after returning to the city, I met up with Megan, who I've never been to a show with, but was super excited to finally see a show after Tiger Army. A few nights ago, I sent Megan a few YC songs, and included a few from Treaty of Paris and The Spill Canvas.

Last year, Yellowcard released their latest CD called Paper Walls which produced the first single "Light Up The Sky". A lot of fans have asked about them doing an acoustic set, and it got them to think about making it a reality for this tour.

We arrived at GAMH to a considerable line that got considerably larger by the time doors opened at 6 p.m. Megan went to a corner convenience store to grab a sandwich while I waited in. When she got back, she offered half her sandwich and water to me, but I knew that any intake of water and food would have to eventually get out and after what happened with missing Kenny last Thursday due to my bladder, I learned my lesson and I refused, I refused, I refused. ;)

Inside, we were maybe two rows back from the front, but this side on the center-right side (stage left) which offered me a different viewing perspective. First up was Treaty of Paris, a band I was actually excited about seeing live. Now this happens not very often. Exceptions to this include Augustana opening for Snow Patrol, The Midway State for Mika, and The Cab for Cobra Starship.

Treaty of Paris is a Chicago-based pop-punk band who released their debut album Sweet Dreams, Sucker last September, which was produced by Andrew McMahon (Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin). The album had a number of radio-friendly head bangers, including this one called "Hello Nurse":

They also played "Waking Up The Dead", "New Improved", the slow jam "I'll Come Back", and the final song of their half hour set, "Rollerskates". Megan (who says she possesses the ability to sing along to songs she doesn't know) and I (who sings along when I actually know the words lol) sang and lead singer Mike Chorvat noticed we stood out from the crowd, and reached out his hand to touch our hands in gratitude.

The second band is really just the one-man-band of Daniel Hunter a.k.a. who plays under the moniker PlayRadioPlay! The native Texan played homage to his home state on his major label debut Texas which was released just a month ago. I've been listening to a lot of Lights lately, and he reminds me of a male version of the Canadian synth pop singer.

For the CD, he played all the instruments himself. For this tour, his brand of electronic music does translate interestingly well, with the help of an awesome drummer and keyboardist. He also set up this huge iMac on stage. Daniel doesn't seem to have perfected the art of being a frontman yet though, because he appears timid and aside from rousing the crowd for applause for the other bands on the bill, he doesn't really interact with the crowd. Megan said he looked like he hasn't had much experience performing and could possibly be straight edge. He did look like he just barely finished high school and I did notice the back of his hands were marked with underage stamps.

He played a few songs off of his Frequency EP, including "I'm A Pirate, You're A Princess", and the first single "Madi Don't Leave" (Madi is the name of his GF).

The next band was The Spill Canvas who I was surprised had a large following here. A lot of their fans made their attempts to push to the front, which made our standing in line more unbearable. This one girl who was friendly to us proceeded to lean her forearm on the shoulder of a girl who was in front of us, who was in front of a large space which confused the heck out of us. We tried to politely give the hint to move up, but of course she didn't get it. Apparenetly she was claustrophobic, which is great here since you will never feel like you're in a confined space ever at a concert pit.

Back to the music, they played a good half hour set of songs from their first major label album No Really, I'm Fine. The band, lead by lead singer Nick Thomas, is originally from South Dakota. As you can see in the next vid, there was this crazy girl in the audience with mullet hair who did some shamefully frenetic dancing.

Finally, the main act! For a long time, I've wanted to see Yellowcard in concert, and would have been thrilled to witness a full, plugged-in show, and wasn't sure about how they would sound in acoustic. but because of the temporary departure of LP (drumer Longineu Parsons) due to personal family issues, frontman Ryan Key, Sean Mackin (violin), Ryan Mendez (guitar), and a hired cellist -- the new addition for this tour -- set out to perform songs that spanned the band's nearly eight year history. And some of those songs, actually translate great unplugged.

They started with "Rough Draft" and quickly got into "Fighting", the rumored second single off of their latest release Paper Walls. They played a lot of songs from One For The Kids, the first album where Ryan sings on lead. Shortly after, Ryan introduced the members of the band. I got particularly excited when he asked if there were any Asians in the audience, and of course, we kids shrieked in solidarity to Sean, who is half Japanese.

Ryan said he was excited about going to San Francisco and it was worthwhile, even though he had to pass through boring cities like Portland to get here. A key moment or shift in the evening occurred when Ryan said he needed to offer an apology. He said that after the success of breakthrough Ocean Avenue, success got to their heads and lost sight of what was truly important: performing and the fans who come out to shows for the music. He apologized for being such an asshole to the fans and now realizes the importance of it all. He then segued into "Lights and Sounds" which he said dealt with a lot of these messed up feelings they were having.

They immediately followed with "Way Away" which although is fantastic with the noise and all, it was amazing how nearly everyone sang along to the verses and no one was drowned out. Ryan continues to talk about how he was really appreciative of all the fans who showed up every night even when MTV would stop playing their videos and it was proof that the fans never left. He also commented on how it was funny that people believed they were this "good little Christian band". Haha!

Yellowcard then sang the lead single "Light Up The Sky" from Paper Walls which sounded rad in acoustic. Other notable songs: "Sureshot", "Cigarette", and "Avondale", the only song they played from their only Fueled By Ramen release of The Underdog EP. Though, I did wish they played one of faves, "Powder".

Next up was the epic moment everyone was waiting for. Everyone knew it was coming and finally we screamed our lungs out to "Only One".

The encore consisted of "October Nights" and of course, "Ocean Avenue". After singing one verse of the song, Ryan divided the audience into two sides and instructed the audience to sing to different parts of the song. Ryan's side (stage right) sang the bridge while Sean's side (us, in stage left, our right) sang along with his background vocals, "Whoa Oh Ah Oh". It was awesome.

Immediately after leaving the stage, everyone was gunning for the setlists and Sean threw one in my direction and I grabbed onto it but some other dude also grabbed after I did and so I pulled it down toward me and thought: "No way in hell am I letting this go! Just quit it, it's mine!" After that moment of adrenaline, I won but it got crumbled and torn in the end. Later that night, Aiza said that the setlist is the best thing you could get at a show. I learned from her well.

The highly coveted setlist and Megan's green fingernails.

Afterward, we went straight to merch, byspassed the YC stuff for the Treaty of Paris table. The PlayRadioPlay! merch dude had a toy puppy on his table with a donations jar next to it so I gave a buck. He was also tried to sell the CD, but we weren't buying. While at the Treaty of Paris merch, I got Sweet Dreams, Sucker which they were selling at the ridiculously low price of $5 only. It is definitely worth every buck and more. I spoke with Mike, the lead singer and asked why they didn't play "Quits" and he told me they alternate that song with "I'll Come Back" every other night. Megan and I took a photo with Mike and Dan the guitarist.

We also got to meet Mr. PlayRadioPlay! afterward who seemed rather indifferent about the post-show meet and greet. Megan and I were still wondering about his age and finally asked. (He is 18).

Said we figured he was underrage and I made an off-the-cuff comment that in three year's he'd be able to drink, not knowing that the kid went to rehab for drug and alcohol abuse at 14(!) and is now lives a straight edge lifestyle.

The best part of it all was getting to meet Ryan Key and Sean Mackin afterward. They were really nice and is quite the cool fellow, who is getting married soon.

The Yellowcard acoustic show did not disappoint and although I can't compare it to a regular show with the full band, it was a unique experience to see this band play their favorite songs at this type of venue. I do, however, hope to experience a show with everyone (including LP) in the near future.

We YC fans have been there through the years and it's great to know they listened to us, letting out the noise and bearing their hearts and their strings.

The Starting Line's "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us" Tour at Slim's, 04.03.08

On Thursday, April 3, I went to The Starting Line show at Slim's in San Francisco. The headliners of their "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us" tour sang to full capacity with support from Steel Train, Four Year Strong, and Bayside. It was an awesome show, and was bittersweet knowing one of the original pop-punk bands of the late 1990s may never play together live soon...or ever again. Therefore, I knew I had to grasp at the opportunity to see the Pennsylvania-native band live. Little did I know this would be one of the best decisions (music-wise) I've ever made. My concert bud for the show was Aiza, who sort of gave me a lesson on concert/scene 101, including why you should hold on to the barricades to survive the crush of the crowd, how ice cream sandwiches can be awesome pre-concert fuel, and the reason why being in front means b.y.o.e.p. (bring your own earplugs) and getting some comp agua.

Aiza and I met at 4 p.m. after her class and took the 5 and 47 buses to Slim's. She happens to work for USFtv and has a key role on a music-related show for the school channel and so because she is technically a member of the press, she is able to meet and interview bands. With a camera (in bag, in hand) she was psyched at the thought of finally getting to meet Kenny Vasoli, the beloved TSL frontman. She also was armed with a list of prepared interview questions, including one that asked about their favorite ice cream flavors.

We finally arrived at the venue at 4:30-ish and Aiza's BF Anthony stood in line so we were only the second group in line. There, I met Anthony's friend Alan who happened to see The AP Tour show in SF a week earlier (featured All Time Low, The Rocket Summer, and Forever The Sickest Kids, among others). I was greeen with envy. This was the earliest I've ever waited in line. It reminded me of my pal Maricel who is truly hardcore in getting there early, as she has waited upwards of six+ hours prior to doors.

The action in line (in the vein of a stream of consciousness): Anthony and Aiza went across the street to get a snack. I ask Alan what other bands he's into. One of them is Paramore. Nice. Not a big fan of The Rocket Summer though. Bummer. A&A return with an It's It, an ice cream sandwich concoction that is apparently a sweet San Francisco treat. Had a bite and was surprisingly yummy. Something with oatmeal I think. Dropped chocolate on ground. Aiza wipes with napkin and now it looks like shit. Haha. Alan has his alergies acting up and has a huge roll of t.p. in his backpack. I discover Aiza and Anthony are vegetarians. Aiza discovers the progression of our hairstyles. Mine being the first phase, Alan the second, and Anthony the final stage of the scene cut. Surprisingly short line, but prolly cause kids were at The Warfield for the My Chemical Romance show that same night. Crap, their loss is our gain. Alan and Anthony go to Office Max to unload their bladders and I'm follow them about ten minutes later. Huge mistake. Shit! They all met Kenny! Damn you bladder! Why?!? I will never go to the bathroom while waiting ever. Heh.

TSL starts to do their sound check and play "Birds". We all chirp along and "woohooooh". Aiza and classmate Audrey go in to interview TSL while we wait. Yep, I ruined the A-role with my name. Aiza and Audrey return. Apparently they didn't get to speak with Kenny! Aiza said that the press person asked the allowed press members the opportunity to go first. Not really thinking any repercussions from this, Aiza and Audrey go first...and they get Mike and Matt (or was it Tom? my memory is bad). Oh well, they got to take photos with him earlier. Aiza loves Hello Kitty. We all have chew on Hello Kitty gum. Audrey's goal is to get all the members of TSL to sign her liner notes. My goal is to meet Kenny. TSL fans are among the coolest. Someone in back of me says they'd pay for a show just with TSL. I'd agree. Not too fond of Bayside or Four Year Strong. The night before, I gave Steel Train a listen and fell asleep to their Myspace music player.

Okay so one of the security dude comes out to say "no cameras tonight". Booo. Why so strict? Is this not their last tour (for a while, or ever) and they are restricting cameras?! Sharpies are also contraband and any cameras we possessed had to be checked in. Not necessary. Do we not deserve better, since the cool kids need cool pix.

So the doors opened slightly later than expected and the line was divided by gender in prep for body and contraband searches. I am the third male. Anthony's sharpie gets tossed. We toss all our cameras in Alan's backpack. But say what? One of the venue girls gave small cameras the okay. Thank god!

We finally get in and we all bypassed the merch tables in favor of the prized positions in the front on the barricade. I did look back to see the type of merch available. Steel Train had a t-shirt and CD deal for $20. TSL had all sorts of tees on sale. Interestingly this show the audience got to see all the setting and packing between sets, as compared to the Really Really Ridiculously Good Looking Tour show. Alan continued to fight the allergies. Aiza puts in earplugs, saying she has permanent damage from being up front during shows all these years. Yikes. Audrey is super tall, so she separated from the group.

First up was Steel Train and their sound was unique and enjoyable. Lead singer started out with a red sweatshirt with a cow on it. LOL. Holding on to the barricade, I was right in front of the guitarist and was so close to the speakers I was sure to be deaf by the end of the night. Note to self: get some earplugs! I felt bad for the band since some of the kids up front showed little interest but I'm sure it was fun to try to win them over. Kudos for playing a Smashing Pumpkins cover ("1979") which I thought was unexpected/cool.

Next up was Four Year Strong, who I tried listening to some of their songs to get be prepared for their set, but just couldn't really get into it. I think of the four of us in front, Anthony was probably the most excited to see them perform. I have two three things to say about FYS: (1) They remind me of Limp Bizkit. (2) Their songs basically sound the same, no distinct melodies or choruses. (3) Their fans are unnecessarily intense and need to back the fuck off. The third band was Bayside which didn't really fare any better. I focused on two three things during this set: (1) to make sure those rowdy kids in back of us do not try to make their way to the barricade, Alan and I created a wall with our forearms. (2) The lead singer's teeth were janky. Aiza noticed this too. And (3), his microphone was on way too low for anyone to hear any distinguishable lyrics.

The wait for TSL was obviously a little more than the others. One of the first things assembled was Tom's drumset. Anyway, TSL played an awesome set which lasted about an hour and a half. Kenny and Co. played a lot of the suggested songs on the PickRSet, which had a few of the older songs from their early days with Drive Thru Records that weren't featured on the major albums. I definitely did my research and listened to Based on A True Story and Direction for hours and days prior and found them to be extremely fantastic material, with the latter as the standout. I also knew a few songs on Say It Like You Mean It, including one of my favorites "A Goodnight's Sleep".

Meet The original foursome of The Starting Line

(1) Frontman and bassist Kenny Vasoli, (2) guitarist Matt Watts, (3) drummer Tom Gryskiewicz, and (4) guitarist Mike Golla. New keyboardist Brian Schmutz joined the band during Direction and can be seen in the photos below.

TSL began the night with "Almost There, Going Nowhere" from SILYMI, followed by the EP classic "Greg's Last Day". Truly this is when the show really started, since the build-up to TSL was, frankly, underwhelming. I was amazed the amount of energy the crowd gave the band and how much they equally gave back. During their performance of the title song of their latest album "Direction", everyone (including myself) was shouting every word.

I am the boy who got carried away, in my new direction, and there's where I stay...

Other highlights include "Are You Alone", "Autography", "Bedroom Talk", "Leaving", personal fave "A Goodnight's Sleep", "Surprise, Surprise", and "Birds".

Then Kenny slowed things down for the next song. He said he doesn't perform this song during the tour but since San Francisco requested it, he sang the sobering "Something Left To Give". I thought the message of the song took on a new meaning when I heard that they may not return. To me, it now means that after 8 years of touring and being in the music industry, they've lived such a crazy life and now they ready to slow things down and take a breather, experience other facets of life, and hopefully, return (in a year, in five or ten) with worthy music for themselves and the fans.

Midway through the set, the crush of the crowd was really getting to us. All our energy and adrenaline was really taxing and fortunately the security dudes passed out comp bottled water to us in the front. No way are we going to leave our spots just to buy a $3 bottle of water!...Oh! The next part was priceless. Prior to getting into the next song, Kenny started egging on Matt and provoked the crowd to start chanting for Matt to flash his chest. The crowd kept chanting "Show your tits". So Matt finally showed his manboobs to everyone for a split second and got really red-faced. Immediately after, Kenny introduced the next song, which everyone knew...And if you don't, get acquainted with "Island":

Now I was afraid that the next song wasn't going to be played because it was selected in the PlayRSet list. But I figure, they had to play the song. Anthony reassured me that they would. "Somebody's Gonna Miss Us" began and I was psyched. Say it's premature to make such a statement, but it has got to be one of my all-time favorite TSL songs ever. So much I wanted to capture a video of it, but when I uploaded all my photos and videos and found it was not there, I was crushed that I did not get any of it captured. Bummed to the max about that. Other notable bums: the omissions of "21" or "Way With Words" in the show.

But I was not at all bummed about the encore, which of course had the best TSL ever played at the very end. People attempted to crowd surf (and failed lol) but there was a great energy felt everywhere. It was a bittersweet sight to see the band leave towards the end, as is customary of their shows, with the crowd left to sing out the final chorus. Here's "Best of Me":

Amazing.

Th highly sought after setlists were held hostage by one of the tour guys who wanted specific answers to his questions regarding punk rock. While people fought for that, I was able to get a yellow TSL guitar pick! After the show, Aiza, Anthony, and I went over to merch to get tees (Aiza got a shirt with pandas 'cause she loves pandas, just like my friend Maricel!) while I got the blue Direction shirt.

When we finally got out of Slim's, we waited for TSL to come out. Mike and Matt were the first to come out and we got to meet them.

The wait for Kenny was quite a while. We waited for about 20-30 minutes. Things started looking bleek when one of the roadies came out, looked at us, shook his head, and murmured something negative. Also Matt and Mike (with their napsacks) came out of the tour bus and walked away from the venue.

But at long last, Kenny came through the doors wearing his backpack and everyone (well okay I'll speak for myself) I got excited, I'll admit. Someone asked Kenny if he was going out tonight, but said he had a recent fight with his girlfriend so he probably won't. As is customary to meeting an idol-like figure, I always shake their hands and introduce myself. Mr. Vasoli politely introduced himself even though I knew who he was. Then I said that I am from Hawaii and knew they all played at Pipeline earlier in February, the show Maricel went to, and his face lit up. He said that he enjoyed being in Hawaii.

Two ringing ears, a hug and a handshake later, it was done and over. I have come to realize that The Starting Line is a really underrated band. They've spent nearly a decade trying to attain some level of success (hence the lyric "Seems like we can never catch a break" in Island) and deal with all sorts of record label drama. It is not so far-fetched that they all needed time away from it all. I hope they come back from this break renewed, because when all is said and done, and nobody's here to play the music we love, we're most definitely going to miss them.

Man I hope they will.

Fresh Music - Top 40 for April 5, 2008

Friss Zene Top 40 for the week ending on Saturday, 04.05.08
The Starting Line's Island floats away to the top!

TW= this week's position
LW= last week
Δ= change
PP= peak position
WC= weeks on the chart

TW LW Δ PP WC Artist - Title (weeks at top spot)
01 06 +05 01 10 The Starting Line - Island (1 week at #1)
02 01 -01 01 07 Lights - February Air (1 week at #1)
03 07 +04 03 04 Paramore - That's What You Get
04 02 -02 01 09 Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You (2 weeks at #1)
05 03 -02 03 05 Gavin DeGraw - In Love With A Girl
06 04 -02 04 06 Ashlee Simpson feat. Tom Higgenson - Little Miss Obsessive
07 08 +01 07 05 All Time Low - Dear Maria, Count Me In
08 14 +06 08 03 Boys Like Girls - Thunder
09 12 +03 09 03 Jimmy Eat World - Always Be
10 05 -05 01 09 The Midway State - Change For You (3 weeks at #1)
11 10 -01 10 12 We The Kings - Check Yes Juliet
12 DEBUT 12 01 Treaty of Paris - Hello Nurse
13 18 +05 13 07 Phantom Planet - Leader
14 11 -03 03 11 Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - No Air
15 09 -06 01 10 Sum 41 - With Me (1 week at #1)
16 16 N C 15 03 Tegan and Sara - The Con
17 15 -02 01 12 The Cab - I'll Run (1 week at #1)
18 17 -01 17 09 Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
19 20 +01 19 04 Rihanna - Take A Bow
20 DEBUT 20 01 Yellowcard - Fighting
21 DEBUT 21 01 The Spill Canvas - All Over You
22 13 -09 04 08 Mika - Relax, Take It Easy
23 19 -04 12 26 Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
24 27 +03 23 05 Simple Plan - Your Love Is A Lie
25 26 +01 25 02 Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
26 25 -01 03 19 OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
27 23 -04 19 05 The Feeling - Without You
28 22 -06 07 08 Colbie Caillat - The Little Things
29 21 -08 21 04 SafetySuit - Someone Like You
30 29 -01 01 19 Chris Brown - With You (2 weeks at #1)
31 DEBUT 31 01 Forever The Sickest Kids - Whoa Oh!
32 34 +02 10 09 Augustana - Sweet And Low
33 24 -09 11 08 Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
34 28 -08 27 03 Linkin Park - Leave Out All The Rest
35 32 -03 01 18 Lifehouse - Whatever It Takes (3 weeks at #1)
36 33 -03 33 03 Sara Bareilles - Bottle It Up
37 35 -02 32 04 Jesse McCartney - Leavin'
38 30 -08 04 14 Janet Jackson - Feedback
39 40 +01 01 12 Cobra Starship - The City Is At War (1 week at #1)
40 42 +02 01 35 Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You (1 week at #1)

Bubbling Under: 41 to 45
41 43 +02 43 03 Matt Nathanson - Come On Get Higher
42 38 -04 01 18 Boys Like Girls - Hero/Heroine (2 weeks at #1)
43 45 +02 01 42 Jon McLaughlin - Beautiful Disaster (3 weeks at #1)
44 31 -13 11 06 The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
45 41 -04 04 37 Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music

Falling Off
36 33 -03 02 13 Jon McLaughlin - So Close
37 34 -03 06 07 Ferras - Hollywood's Not America
39 40 +01 39 02 Five Times August - The Good Life
44 43 -01 14 16 NLT - She Said, I Said

Biggest Debut
Treaty of Paris - Hello Nurse (debut at #12)

Biggest Jump
Boys Like Girls - Thunder (#8, up 6 spots from #14 last week)

Biggest Decline
The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead (#44, down 13 spots from #41 last week)

Friss Zene
The Veronicas - Untouched
PlayRadioPlay! - Madi Don't Leave

The Starting Line in San Francisco Tonight!

I'm super excited about attending The Starting Line show at Slim's in San Francisco tonight. The Pennsylvanian band is headlining a tour with openers Steel Train, MA band Four Year Strong and Bayside. TSL has been a late college discovery and after listening to their albums, I found their type of rock music to be approachable and resonant. I'll keep you updated on the going-ons soon.

Fresh Song: The Starting Line - Somebody's Gonna Miss Us

The Starting Line - Somebody's Gonna Miss Us

Not officially released as a single, track #10 is one of my favorite songs off of The Starting Line's 2007 album Direction. It takes on an enhanced meaning now that lead singer Kenny Vasoli and the band announced an "indefinite hiatus" from touring and creating music. Very sad. But let's just hope this is not a break-up and that they will be back very soon, unlike *coughs*blink182*coughs*. Give it a listen!

boomp3.com

Meanwhile, GET some Direction!

Fresh Song: The Rocket Summer - Do You Feel

The Rocket Summer - Do You Feel

Pop-punk band The Rocket Summer is really the mastermind of blond wunderkind Bryce Avary. Currently on the AP Tour with The Matches and co-headliners All Time Low, this song is off the latest CD of the same name. I'm loving it!

boomp3.com

Fresh Video: Paramore - That's What You Get

Paramore is currently out on tour with Fueled By Ramen alumni Jimmy Eat World and is ready to release the third single off their 2007 album Riot! titled "That's What You Get". The accompanying video has a straightforward concept and is a very good listen overall. Check it out!

Fresh Music - Top 40 for Saturday, March 29, 2008

Friss Zene Top 40 for the week ending on Saturday, 03.29.08
Make way for Lights!

TW= this week's position
LW= last week
Δ= change
PP= peak position
WC= weeks on the chart

TW LW Δ PP WC Artist - Title (weeks at top spot)
01 02 +01 06 Lights - February Air (1 week at #1)
02 01 -01 01 08 Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You (2 weeks at #1)
03 04 +01 03 04 Gavin DeGraw - In Love With A Girl
04 05 +01 04 05 Ashlee Simpson feat. Tom Higgenson - Little Miss Obsessive
05 03 -02 01 08 The Midway State - Change For You (3 weeks at #1)
06 12 +06 06 09 The Starting Line - Island
07 09 +02 07 03 Paramore - That's What You Get
08 07 -01 07 04 All Time Low - Dear Maria, Count Me In
09 06 -03 01 09 Sum 41 - With Me (1 week at #1)
10 10 N C 10 11 We The Kings - Check Yes Juliet
11 08 -03 03 10 Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - No Air
12 14 +02 12 02 Jimmy Eat World - Always Be
13 13 N C 04 07 Mika - Relax, Take It Easy
14 19 +05 14 02 Boys Like Girls - Thunder
15 11 -04 01 11 The Cab - I'll Run (1 week at #1)
16 15 -01 15 02 Tegan and Sara - The Con
17 20 +03 17 08 Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
18 21 +03 18 06 Phantom Planet - Leader
19 18 -01 12 25 Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
20 24 +04 20 03 Rihanna - Take A Bow
21 25 +04 21 03 SafetySuit - Someone Like You
22 17 -05 07 07 Colbie Caillat - The Little Things
23 23 N C 19 04 The Feeling - Without You
24 22 -02 11 07 Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
25 16 -09 03 18 OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
26 DEBUT 26 01 Mariah Carey - Touch My Body
27 26 -01 23 04 Simple Plan - Your Love Is A Lie
28 27 -01 27 02 Linkin Park - Leave Out All The Rest
29 28 -01 01 18 Chris Brown - With You (2 weeks at #1)
30 30 N C 04 13 Janet Jackson - Feedback
31 29 -02 11 05 The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
32 31 -01 01 17 Lifehouse - Whatever It Takes (3 weeks at #1)
33 35 +02 33 02 Sara Bareilles - Bottle It Up
34 36 +02 10 08 Augustana - Sweet And Low
35 32 -03 32 03 Jesse McCartney - Leavin'
36 33 -03 02 13 Jon McLaughlin - So Close
37 34 -03 06 07 Ferras - Hollywood's Not America
38 38 N C 01 17 Boys Like Girls - Hero/Heroine (2 weeks at #1)
39 40 +01 39 02 Five Times August - The Good Life
40 39 -01 01 11 Cobra Starship - The City Is At War (1 week at #1)

Bubbling Under: 41 to 45
41 41 N C 04 36 Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music
42 42 N C 01 34 Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You (1 week at #1)
43 45 +02 43 02 Matt Nathanson - Come On Get Higher
44 43 -01 14 16 NLT - She Said, I Said
45 44 -01 01 41 Jon McLaughlin - Beautiful Disaster (3 weeks at #1)

Falling Off
The Last Goodnight - Stay Beautiful

Biggest Debut
Mariah Carey - Touch My Body (debut at #26)

Biggest Jump
The Starting Line - Island (#6, up 6 spots from #12 last week)

Biggest Decline
Jon McLaughlin - So Close (#25, down 9 spots from #16 last week)

Friss Zene
Yellowcard - Fighting
Forever The Sickest Kids - Whoa Oh! (Me Vs. Everyone)
Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing

Fresh Music - Top 40 for Saturday, March 22, 2008

Friss Zene Top 40 for the week ending on Saturday, 03.22.08
Motion City Soundtrack holds the top spot for second week

TW= this week's position
LW= last week
Δ= change
PP= peak position
WC= weeks on the chart

TW LW Δ PP WC Artist - Title (weeks at top spot)
01 01 N C 01 07 Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You (2 weeks at #1)
02 05 +03 02 05 Lights - February Air
03 02 -01 01 07 The Midway State - Change For You (3 weeks at #1)
04 03 -01 03 03 Gavin DeGraw - In Love With A Girl
05 06 +01 05 04 Ashlee Simpson feat. Tom Higgenson - Little Miss Obsessive
06 04 -02 01 08 Sum 41 - With Me (1 week at #1)
07 09 +02 07 03 All Time Low - Dear Maria, Count Me In
08 07 -01 03 09 Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - No Air
09 26 +17 09 02 Paramore - That's What You Get
10 18 +08 10 10 We The Kings - Check Yes Juliet
11 11 N C 01 10 The Cab - I'll Run (1 week at #1)
12 17 +05 10 08 The Starting Line - Island
13 08 -05 04 06 Mika - Relax, Take It Easy
14 DEBUT 14 01 Jimmy Eat World - Always Be
15 DEBUT 15 01 Tegan and Sara - The Con
16 31 +15 03 17 OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
17 10 -07 07 06 Colbie Caillat - The Little Things
18 25 +07 12 24 Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
19 DEBUT 19 01 Boys Like Girls - Thunder
20 28 +08 20 07 Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
21 32 +11 21 05 Phantom Planet - Leader
22 16 -06 11 06 Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
23 19 -04 19 03 The Feeling - Without You
24 39 +15 24 02 Rihanna - Take A Bow
25 44 +19 25 02 SafetySuit - Someone Like You
26 23 -03 23 03 Simple Plan - Your Love Is A Lie
27 DEBUT 27 01 Linkin Park - Leave Out All The Rest
28 12 -16 01 17 Chris Brown - With You (2 weeks at #1)
29 14 -15 11 04 The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
30 15 -15 04 12 Janet Jackson - Feedback
31 22 -09 01 16 Lifehouse - Whatever It Takes (3 weeks at #1)
32 35 +03 32 02 Jesse McCartney - Leavin'
33 13 -20 02 12 Jon McLaughlin - So Close
34 20 -14 06 06 Ferras - Hollywood's Not America
35 DEBUT 35 01 Sara Bareilles - Bottle It Up
36 24 -12 10 07 Augustana - Sweet And Low
37 40 +03 37 04 The Last Goodnight - Stay Beautiful
38 36 -02 01 16 Boys Like Girls - Hero/Heroine (2 weeks at #1)
39 29 -10 01 10 Cobra Starship - The City Is At War (1 week at #1)
40 DEBUT 40 01 Five Times August - The Good Life

Bubbling Under: 41 to 45
41 21 -20 04 35 Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music
42 34 -08 01 33 Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You (1 week at #1)
43 37 -06 14 15 NLT - She Said, I Said
44 45 +01 01 40 Jon McLaughlin - Beautiful Disaster (3 weeks at #1)
45 DEBUT 45 01 Matt Nathanson - Come On Get Higher

Falling Off
Matt Nathanson - Car Crash: 34 weeks, 1 week at #1
Motion City Soundtrack - Broken Heart: 26 weeks, peak at #3
I Nine - Seven Days Of Lonely: 21 weeks, 1 week at #1
Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes: 11 weeks, peak at #20
Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan
Nada Surf - See These Bones
Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos - Superstar

Biggest Debut
Jimmy Eat World - Always Be (debut at #14)

Biggest Jump
Paramore - That's What You Get (#9, up 17 spots from #26 last week)

Biggest Decline
Jon McLaughlin - So Close (#33, down 20 spots from #13 last week)

Friss Zene
The Hush Sound - Honey
Maroon 5 - Better That We Break
The Starting Line - Something Left To Give

Gavin DeGraw with Landon Pigg @ The Independent, 03.10.08 CANCELLED!

Last Monday night, March 10, 2008, I planned on attending the Gavin DeGraw & Landon Pigg concert at the Independent on Divisadero, but the worst possible thing that could happen to a concert-goer happened to me...

The Gavin DeGraw show was cancelled!

My friend Rochelle and I came to the venue a bit disheartened by the news. I've been psyching myself for this event and prepared by listening to Gavin DeGraw's Chariot and Landon Pigg's LP & Coffee Shop EP.

It wasn't a complete loss, because Gavin came out to explain the cancellation and personally apologize to his fans. His vocals were, in his words, "really fucked" as a result of straining it after shooting a music video for his latest single "In Love With A Girl" and the bumpy long five hour road trip from L.A. to San Francisco in a trailer. Since the show would not be rescheduled due to the tight calendar of events at the Independent, refunds would be issued for TicketNow customers. EDIT: He remained sick for several more days and had to cancel his L.A. gig the day after the SF show.

My tech-savvy friend and disappointed Gavin fan Mary captured his apology on video. She told me that she waited three years for Gavin to play another show. Take a look:

Video credit: marygotzskillz on YouTube

Gavin proved to be a nice guy, and after shaking the dude's hand, I told him how my friend and I came all the way from Hawaii and were bummed about the recent turn of events. He said he hopes to return to San Francisco and play.

He later signed autographs, took pics, and gave hugs to fans.

Without getting too earnest, he proved that even talented musicians are humans too. Above all, by personally staying at the venue, it was a sign of the respect he has to the fans who came to witness his craft. And although this was my first non-musical concert experience, I still most definitely want to catch a live Gavin show in the near future.

Don't forget to support Gavin by purchasing his self-titled album when it comes out on May 6.

Fresh Music - Top 40 for Saturday, March 15, 2008

Friss Zene Top 40 for the week ending on Saturday, 03.08.08
Motion City Soundtrack had to be the best this week

TW= this week's position
LW= last week
Δ= change
PP= peak position
WC= weeks on the chart

TW LW Δ PP WC Artist - Title (weeks at top spot)
01 05 +04 01 06 Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You (1 week at #1)
02 02 N C 01 06 The Midway State - Change For You (3 weeks at #1)
03 09 +06 03 02 Gavin DeGraw - In Love With A Girl
04 01 -03 01 07 Sum 41 - With Me (1 week at #1)
05 10 +05 05 04 Lights - February Air
06 06 N C 06 03 Ashlee Simpson feat. Tom Higgenson - Little Miss Obsessive
07 03 -04 03 08 Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - No Air
08 04 -04 04 05 Mika - Relax, Take It Easy
09 15 +06 09 02 All Time Low - Dear Maria, Count Me In
10 12 +02 07 05 Colbie Caillat - The Little Things
11 07 -04 01 09 The Cab - I'll Run (1 week at #1)
12 13 +01 01 16 Chris Brown - With You (2 weeks at #1)
13 08 -05 02 11 Jon McLaughlin - So Close
14 11 -03 11 03 The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
15 14 -01 04 11 Janet Jackson - Feedback
16 26 +10 11 05 Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
17 16 -01 10 07 The Starting Line - Island
18 17 -01 17 09 We The Kings - Check Yes Juliet
19 21 +02 19 02 The Feeling - Without You
20 19 -01 06 05 Ferras - Hollywood's Not America
21 20 -01 04 34 Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music
22 18 -04 01 15 Lifehouse - Whatever It Takes (3 weeks at #1)
23 25 +02 23 02 Simple Plan - Your Love Is A Lie
24 29 +05 10 06 Augustana - Sweet And Low
25 23 -02 12 23 Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
26 DEBUT 26 01 Paramore - That's What You Get
27 24 -03 19 03 Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos - Superstar
28 32 +04 23 06 Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
29 22 -07 01 09 Cobra Starship - The City Is At War (1 week at #1)
30 28 -02 20 11 Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes
31 35 +04 03 16 OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
32 30 -02 27 04 Phantom Planet - Leader
33 27 -06 14 06 Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan
34 31 -03 01 32 Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You (1 week at #1)
35 DEBUT 35 01 Jesse McCartney - Leavin'
36 33 -03 01 15 Boys Like Girls - Hero/Heroine (2 weeks at #1)
37 34 -03 14 14 NLT - She Said, I Said
38 37 -01 32 04 Nada Surf - See These Bones
39 DEBUT 39 01 Rihanna - Take A Bow
40 38 -02 38 03 The Last Goodnight - Stay Beautiful

Bubbling Under: 41 to 45
41 41 N C 01 21 I Nine - Seven Days Of Lonely (1 week at #1)
42 42 N C 03 26 Motion City Soundtrack - Broken Heart
43 40 -03 01 34 Matt Nathanson - Car Crash (1 week at #1)
44 DEBUT 44 01 SafetySuit - Someone Like You
45 44 -01 01 39 Jon McLaughlin - Beautiful Disaster (3 weeks at #1)

Falling Off
John Mayer - Say (15 weeks, peak: #3)
Paramore - Let The Flames Begin
Josh Kelley - Unfair
Simple Plan - When I'm Gone

Biggest Debut
Paramore - That's What You Get (debut at #26)

Biggest Jump
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours (#16, up 10 spots from #26 last week)

Biggest Decline
Cobra Starship - The City Is At War (#29, down 7 spots from #24 last week)

Friss Zene
Boys Like Girls - Thunder
The Spill Canvas - All Over You

Because I hate skipping weeks, I present you last week's Fresh Music Top 40

Friss Zene Top 40 for the week ending on Saturday, 03.08.08
Sum 41 finally dethrones The Midway State!

TW= this week's position
LW= last week
Δ= change
PP= peak position
WC= weeks on the chart

TW LW Δ PP WC Artist - Title (weeks at top spot)
01 03 +02 01 06 Sum 41 - With Me (1 week at #1)
02 01 -01 01 05 The Midway State - Change For You (3 weeks at #1)
03 04 +01 03 07 Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - No Air
04 06 +02 04 04 Mika - Relax, Take It Easy
05 11 +06 05 05 Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You
06 15 +09 06 02 Ashlee Simpson feat. Tom Higgenson - Little Miss Obsessive
07 05 -02 01 08 The Cab - I'll Run (1 week at #1)
08 02 -06 02 10 Jon McLaughlin - So Close
09 DEBUT 09 01 Gavin DeGraw - In Love With A Girl
10 20 +10 10 03 Lights - February Air
11 12 +01 11 02 The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
12 07 -05 07 04 Colbie Caillat - The Little Things
13 07 -06 01 15 Chris Brown - With You (2 weeks at #1)
14 09 -05 04 10 Janet Jackson - Feedback
15 DEBUT 15 01 All Time Low - Dear Maria, Count Me In
16 13 -03 10 06 The Starting Line - Island
17 23 +06 17 08 We The Kings - Check Yes Juliet
18 21 +03 01 14 Lifehouse - Whatever It Takes (3 weeks at #1)
19 16 -03 06 04 Ferras - Hollywood's Not America
20 10 -10 04 33 Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music
21 DEBUT 21 01 The Feeling - Without You
22 17 -05 01 08 Cobra Starship - The City Is At War (1 week at #1)
23 26 +03 12 22 Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
24 19 -05 19 02 Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos - Superstar
25 DEBUT 25 01 Simple Plan - Your Love Is A Lie
26 18 -08 11 04 Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
27 14 -13 14 05 Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan
28 39 +11 20 10 Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes
29 22 -07 10 05 Augustana - Sweet And Low
30 28 -02 27 03 Phantom Planet - Leader
31 25 -06 01 31 Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You (1 week at #1)
32 27 -05 23 05 Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
33 24 -09 01 14 Boys Like Girls - Hero/Heroine (2 weeks at #1)
34 30 -04 14 13 NLT - She Said, I Said
35 31 -04 03 15 OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
36 29 -07 12 07 Josh Kelley - Unfair
37 32 -05 32 03 Nada Surf - See These Bones
38 38 N C 38 01 The Last Goodnight - Stay Beautiful
39 40 +01 26 05 Simple Plan - When I'm Gone
40 33 -07 01 33 Matt Nathanson - Car Crash (1 week at #1)

Bubbling Under: 41 to 45
41 34 -07 01 20 I Nine - Seven Days Of Lonely (1 week at #1)
42 35 -07 03 25 Motion City Soundtrack - Broken Heart
43 36 -07 08 09 Paramore - Let The Flames Begin
44 44 N C 01 38 Jon McLaughlin - Beautiful Disaster (3 weeks at #1)
45 37 -08 03 15 John Mayer - Say

Falling Off
Rihanna feat. Ne-Yo - Hate That I Love You (25 weeks, peak: #1 for 1 week)
Alicia Keys - Like You'll Never See Me Again (15 weeks, peak: #14)
David Guetta feat. Chris Willis - Love Is Gone (11 weeks, peak: #16)
Carrie Underwood - All-American Girl

Biggest Debut
Gavin DeGraw - In Love With A Girl (debut at #9)

Biggest Jump
Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes (#28, up 11 spots from #39 last week)

Biggest Decline
Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan (#27, down 13 spots from #14 last week)

Friss Zene
Paramore - That's What You Get
Matt Nathanson - Come On Get Higher

Note: I realized that skipping this particular week would throw off a number of songs from the chart, so to eliminate any gaps, here is the chart for last week's top 40. Plus, it's pretty momentous that a number one mainstay gets kicked to second off the top by a fellow Canadian band. Kudos to Derrick W. and Co. Stay tuned for this week's chart. I'm currently working on getting it up in a matter of hours.

Site Update, Gavin DeGraw and Landon Pigg in San Francisco on Monday!

Hey guys! It is the beginning of hell week for me at school (midterms, papers, papers, papers) so I have not had the time to create and post a top 40 chart for last week, so I am going to scrap it and resume with a full one for this upcoming Saturday.

Thanks for your patience. I will also keep you updated on the Gavin DeGraw & Landon Pigg show at the Independent I will attend tomorrow night. In the midst of all my schoolwork, that is something I cannot miss! Gavin hasn't toured in a long while and so I can hold off on the stress at least for tomorrow night. And look for a "Live Rewind" review post in the upcoming days.

Photo credit: neohippy (flickr)

SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC...just don't forget to do your homework, kids.

Currently listening: "These Hard Times" - Matchbox Twenty

Fresh Song: Landon Pigg - Magnetismo (And more!)

Landon Pigg - Magnetismo

You've probably never heard of Landon Pigg by name, but you may have stumbled upon his song and latest single "Falling In Love In A Coffee Shop" in those "A Diamond Is Forever" TV ads. Well, I stumbled upon the Tennessee-born singer-songwriter's debut album LP while browsing through new CDs in the Virgin Megastore in downtown San Francisco back in the fall of 2006. I listened through a few of his songs at a listening station and loved what I heard. Landon has a knack for writing cheery and earnest-sounding tunes. Plus the artwork on LP was drawn by the multi-talented artist himself.

Landon just released the EP Coffee Shop on iTunes and Amazon, including a reworked version of the song "Magnetism" called "Magnetismo"! I'm digging this song, not only because it is en Español, but Landon's vocal interpretation is refreshing and amazingly amusing. Enjoy! And please leave a comment and tell me what you think of Landon and his music!

DL: HERE
BUY: Coffee Shop on iTunes

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Here's Landon's first-ever music video for the fantastic song "Can't Let Go":

Fresh Song: Gavin DeGraw - In Love With A Girl

Gavin DeGraw - In Love With A Girl

Gavin DeGraw is one of my favorite musicians. My first moment I was exposed to his music was way back in the summer of 2003 when he performed "Chariot" on the live-performance television show Pepsi Smash. The singer-songwriter who brought us earnest hits like "We Belong Together" and "I Don't Wanna Be" from his debut album Chariot is coming back with new material (read: new album) this May...after four long years. The new album will be self-titled and will be out on May 6, 2008.

In support of Gavin DeGraw, Gavin is currently out on an intimate club tour, including a show at The Independent in San Francisco which I will attend with my friend Rochelle on Monday night! One of the songs he will definitely perform is the first single -- "In Love With A Girl", an upbeat and soulful return to what Gavin does best. I'm doing things a bit differently this time for DLs. If you want to hear the song, you'll have to leave a comment and request it first.

Fresh Video: Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You

Here's the new video for Motion City Soundtrack's latest single "It Had To Be You". It's a very creative and quirky video treatment that actually suits the song. I actually felt sorry for the lonely puppet (?) or white Gumby-like creation that was moping around and channel-surfing to random MCS programming. My favorite part is when the members of the band all dress up as informercial product testers. Some of the kudos should go out to director Lauren Simpson who won mtvU's Best Film on Campus (BFoC) Breaking The Video contest. Take a look!

Fresh Music - Top 40 for March 1, 2008

Friss Zene Top 40 for the week ending on Saturday, 03.01.08
Jon and Sum 41 fail to unseat The Midway State from #1 for the third week

TW= this week's position
LW= last week
Δ= change
PP= peak position
WC= weeks on the chart

TW LW Δ PP WC Artist - Title (weeks at top spot)
01 01 N C 01 04 The Midway State - Change For You (3 weeks at #1)
02 02 N C 02 09 Jon McLaughlin - So Close
03 03 N C 03 05 Sum 41 - With Me
04 05 +01 03 06 Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown - No Air
05 04 -01 01 07 The Cab - I'll Run (1 week at #1)
06 16 +10 06 03 Mika - Relax, Take It Easy
07 09 +02 07 03 Colbie Caillat - The Little Things
08 07 -01 01 14 Chris Brown - With You (2 weeks at #1)
09 22 +13 04 09 Janet Jackson - Feedback
10 08 -02 04 32 Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music
11 18 +07 11 04 Motion City Soundtrack - It Had To Be You
12 DEBUT 12 01 The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
13 12 -01 10 05 The Starting Line - Island
14 15 +01 14 04 Rogue Wave - Lake Michigan
15 DEBUT 15 01 Ashlee Simpson feat. Tom Higgenson - Little Miss Obsessive
16 06 -10 06 03 Ferras - Hollywood's Not America
17 10 -07 01 07 Cobra Starship - The City Is At War (1 week at #1)
18 11 -07 11 03 Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
19 DEBUT 19 01 Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos - Superstar
20 32 +12 20 02 Lights - February Air
21 13 -08 01 13 Lifehouse - Whatever It Takes (3 weeks at #1)
22 17 -05 10 04 Augustana - Sweet And Low
23 19 -04 19 07 We The Kings - Check Yes Juliet
24 14 -10 01 13 Boys Like Girls - Hero/Heroine (2 weeks at #1)
25 21 -04 01 30 Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You (1 week at #1)
26 20 -06 12 21 Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
27 23 -04 23 04 Panic At The Disco - Nine In The Afternoon
28 27 -01 27 02 Phantom Planet - Leader
29 25 -04 12 06 Josh Kelley - Unfair
30 29 -01 14 12 NLT - She Said, I Said
31 24 -07 03 14 OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
32 40 +08 32 02 Nada Surf - See These Bones
33 33 N C 01 32 Matt Nathanson - Car Crash (1 week at #1)
34 26 -08 01 19 I Nine - Seven Days Of Lonely (1 week at #1)
35 43 +08 03 24 Motion City Soundtrack - Broken Heart
36 30 -06 08 08 Paramore - Let The Flames Begin
37 31 -06 03 14 John Mayer - Say
38 DEBUT 38 01 The Last Goodnight - Stay Beautiful
39 28 -11 20 09 Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes
40 34 -06 26 04 Simple Plan - When I'm Gone

Bubbling Under: 41 to 45
41 35 -06 14 15 Alicia Keys - Like You'll Never See Me Again
42 - - R E 42 01 Carrie Underwood - All-American Girl
43 36 -07 16 11 David Guetta feat. Chris Willis - Love Is Gone
44 38 -06 01 37 Jon McLaughlin - Beautiful Disaster (3 weeks at #1)
45 44 -01 01 25 Rihanna feat. Ne-Yo - Hate That I Love You (1 week at #1)

Falling Off
Linkin Park - Shadow Of The Day (11 weeks, peak at #16)
Buckcherry - Sorry
Sean Kingston - Take You THere
Yael Naim - New Soul
Fergie - Clumsy (26 weeks, peak at #13)

Biggest Debut
The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead (debut at #12)

Biggest Jump
Janet Jackson - Feedback (#9, up 13 spots from #22 last week)

Biggest Decline
Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes (#39, down 11 spots from #28 last week)

Re-Entry
Carrie Underwood - All-American Girl (from #43 three weeks ago)

Friss Zene
Matchbox Twenty - These Hard Times
Mariah Carey - Touch My Body